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Journal of Translational Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Respiratory Microbiota | Research

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and gastrointestinal diseases: a mendelian randomization study

Authors: Kaiwen Wu, Qiang Luo, Ye Liu, Aoshuang Li, Demeng Xia, Xiaobin Sun

Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Recent research increasingly highlights a strong correlation between gut microbiota and the risk of gastrointestinal diseases. However, whether this relationship is causal or merely coincidental remains uncertain. To address this, a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was undertaken to explore the connections between gut microbiota and prevalent gastrointestinal diseases.

Methods

Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for gut microbiota, encompassing a diverse range of 211 taxa (131 genera, 35 families, 20 orders, 16 classes, and 9 phyla), were sourced from the comprehensive MiBioGen study. Genetic associations with 22 gastrointestinal diseases were gathered from the UK Biobank, FinnGen study, and various extensive GWAS studies. MR analysis was meticulously conducted to assess the causal relationship between genetically predicted gut microbiota and these gastrointestinal diseases. To validate the reliability of our findings, sensitivity analyses and tests for heterogeneity were systematically performed.

Results

The MR analysis yielded significant evidence for 251 causal relationships between genetically predicted gut microbiota and the risk of gastrointestinal diseases. This included 98 associations with upper gastrointestinal diseases, 81 with lower gastrointestinal diseases, 54 with hepatobiliary diseases, and 18 with pancreatic diseases. Notably, these associations were particularly evident in taxa belonging to the genera Ruminococcus and Eubacterium. Further sensitivity analyses reinforced the robustness of these results.

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicate a potential genetic predisposition linking gut microbiota to gastrointestinal diseases. These insights pave the way for designing future clinical trials focusing on microbiome-related interventions, including the use of microbiome-dependent metabolites, to potentially treat or manage gastrointestinal diseases and their associated risk factors.

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Title: Causal relationship between gut microbiota and gastrointestinal diseases: a mendelian randomization study
Authors: Kaiwen Wu
Qiang Luo
Ye Liu
Aoshuang Li
Demeng Xia
Xiaobin Sun
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Respiratory Microbiota
Published in: Journal of Translational Medicine / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1479-5876
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-024-04894-5

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